Alabama head coach Nick Saban met with the media to discuss a variety of topics.

The big news of the day was regarding the transfer status of Alabama defensive back Maurice Smith. Smith has asked for his release so he can go play at Georgia. Saban spoke about the transfer status in the his opening statement.

“Nothing has changed,” Saban told reporters. “We support the SEC rule of not granting guys releases to go to other SEC schools. It has been our policy here not to do that unless there was a special circumstance. All right? We released a statement today that talked about the special circumstances surrounding another player, which was an exception, not the rule.

“I am not going to discuss this any further. You know, Maurice did a great job for us around here. We want to help him every way we can. He has other opportunities to go other places outside of the league and we’re supporting him and helping him do that. So that’s all we can say about that.”

Alabama put out a statement earlier today regarding the situation and addressed the difference between Chris Black, who was able transfer to Missouri and Smith. A report came out earlier in the day that Black’s transfer process was a result of a paperwork mishap.

After addressing it in his opening statement, Saban was asked a follow-up question on Smith. Saban quickly deflected the question and invoked New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick in doing so.

“I already talked about that. Do I need to go Bill Belichick on you,” Saban said.

Saban coach with Belichick with the Browns in the 1990s.

Per Dawgnation’s Seth Emerson, Smith’s belongings were thrown in the trash after it was announced that he would be transferring. Alabama does have the right to limit which schools Smith can attend.